FC Barcelona Extends Iñigo Martínez’s Contract Through 2026

BARCELONA, Spain — FC Barcelona announced this week an extension of Iñigo Martínez‘s contract for one additional season, lasting until June 2026. The 33-year-old center-back has had a stellar second year, stepping up as a leader in the defense following injuries that hit the squad at the start of the 2024-25 season.

Martínez, alongside teammate Pau Cubarsí, has formed a dynamic partnership that blends youth with experience and talent. Reflecting on his journey, Martínez acknowledged the difficulty of earning a starting position and regaining the club’s trust when he joined in the summer of 2023. “It was an important challenge. I’ve approached it that way. Through hard work and perseverance, I have achieved it. It’s a tremendous joy to share a dressing room with these people. It feels good to be here. We hope to continue performing well,” Martínez said in an interview with ‘Barça One.’

He further expressed gratitude to the management for their unwavering faith in him, particularly after a challenging season at Athletic Club marred by injuries. “Both my family and I are very happy to continue for another year at this great club, which believed in me from the very first moment. It’s a pleasure to be at Barcelona, the best team in the world, and to keep fighting for more titles,” he added.

Looking ahead, Martínez conveyed optimism for the upcoming challenges despite a tough schedule ahead. “It’s an exciting year. It’s in our hands. We are in great form, and if we maintain this level, we have options to win even more titles; we hope that’s the case,” Martínez noted.

This season, Martínez has recorded three goals and four assists in 33 matches, accumulating 2,808 minutes on the pitch. He has only missed five matches due to a muscle issue, starting in 20 of the 26 league games played by Barcelona.

As FC Barcelona prepares for their next match against Atlético Madrid on Sunday, Martínez’s renewal highlights a successful season and a commitment to continue building a solid foundation for the future. The clash, set for March 16 at 21:00, will take place at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium.

FC Barcelona has signaled their intention to address player contracts consistently, with Martínez’s agreement being the sixth renewal of the season, following those of Ronald Araujo, Gerard Martín, Pedri González, Gavi, and Pau Cubarsí. By securing Martínez’s future, the club demonstrates its commitment to strengthening its existing roster.